According to a notice posted by New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball, Whole Organic Milk Non-Homogenized, that was produced by Pelleh Farms, has been voluntarily recalled due to improper pasteurization. No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The farm is located at 522 Happy Avenue in Swan Lake, New York. The recalled Whole Organic Milk was sold in Rockland County and in Brooklyn, New York, under the name Bethel Creamery. The milk was packaged in 64 fluid ounce containers. It has the container code of USE BY APR 08 2018.
Routine inspections conducted by the Department found that specific lot was not pasteurized. Pasteurization heats milk to "effectively eliminate all pathogenic bacteria, such as Listeria and Salmonella," … [Read more...]

Children dominate a growing list of case patients in the outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 linked to the 22nd annual Milk Makers Festival in Whatcom County, Washington. According to the county health agency's latest update, 41 people have fallen ill with classic E. coli symptoms after attending the Milk Makers event from schools all over the county. The working total of 41 case patients includes people who got sick after having close contact with a sick attendee. Seven of the 41 victims have been hospitalized, but the county has not said anything about their conditions.
"Most of the cases involve children who attended the event,'' said a news release from Whatcom County Health Officer Dr. Greg Stern. "Several older children involved with the event and some adults and close contacts of cases … [Read more...]

Already emerging in discussions about a possible Milk Makers Fest E. coli lawsuit is whether adequate safeguards were in place to protect Whatcom County first-graders from E. coli poisoning that many experts are hypothesizing was linked to the Fest's animal exhibits and petting zoo. As the E. coli outbreak investigation continues, officials have identified 36 case patients, including sick children whose lab results are pending.
At least five of the children have been hospitalized and the elementary schools around Bellingham, Blaine, Ferndale, Lynden and other Whatcom County communities are trying to find out what went wrong. Meanwhile, some parents of sick first-graders are contacting E. coli lawyers to weigh legal options that best suit the interests of their families.
“We want … [Read more...]

It was the 22nd annual Milk Makers Festival in Whatcom County, Washington, and 25 Lynden High School students helped set up a hay maze to go with a petting zoo, scavenger hunt and activities for younger kids to learn about raising calves and milking cows. When more than 1,300 first graders and their chaperones arrived for the three-day fest at Northwest Fairgrounds late last month, they also were joined by invisible pathogens from animal feces that caused an outbreak of potentially fatal E. coli infections, including a dreaded complication known as HUS E. coli.
Lawyers for the childrens' families, scientists from the Whatcom County Health Department, state epidemiologists -- even experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- are now trying to determine what went wrong. … [Read more...]

Price Chopper is recalling half gallons of milk that may contain a non-hazardous cleaning solution. The product under recall is Price Chopper's Homogenized Milk in half gallon paper cartons with a UPC Code 4173513275 and a September 29 expiration date.
The recalled product may contain a non-hazardous cleaning solution that is used to clean equipment during milk processing and is not harmful to animals or humans. This recall pertains only to milk sold in paper half gallons with the UPC code and expiration date listed above. Customers who have purchased the recalled product can return it to at a Price Chopper store for a full refund.
… [Read more...]

Pure Eire Dairy, located in Othello, Washington has recalled some of its dairy and cream products because they were not properly pasteurized. An inspection by the Washington State Department of Agriculture last week discovered the problem, which has been corrected. No illnesses have been associated with these products.
The recalled products include Organic Heavy Cream Pasteurized, sold in 8 ounce and 1/2 gallon plastic containers. All of the following products are non-homogenized: Organic Pasteurized Skim Milk sold in 1/2 gallon plastic and glass jugs, Organic Pasteurized Skim Milk sold in 1 gallon plastic jugs, and Organic Pasteurized Reduced Fat 2% Milk in 1/2 gallon plastic and glass jugs and in 1 gallon plastic jugs, and Organic Pasteurized Whole Milk in 1/2 gallon plastic and glass … [Read more...]